Washington Nationals: 5 Scott Boras clients to watch
By Drew Douglas
Bryce Harper
Although Bryce Harper is not a free agent, he is entering the final year of his contract. His potential free agency case has been a hot topic of discussion for years, but it is ramping up as the fateful 2018 season approaches.
However, Harper may not reach the open market. Despite all of the talk of him possibly going to the New York Yankees or Chicago Cubs after 2018, the Nats are working towards a contract extension. It would be atypical for a Boras client to sign an extension before hitting the open market, but Harper is a special case.
Drafted as a 17-year-old, the Nationals are the only organization Harper has ever known. He appears to be comfortable in DC, so why leave?
If Harper signs a long-term deal with the Nats, they are his team. Having been established in 2005, they are lacking extensive history. If Harper were to remain with the Nats, he could be their first legend.
Harper departing in free agency once looked like a foregone conclusion, but, now, the Nats seem to have as good of a chance as any team to sign him.
Although an extension is unlikely to be agreed upon before the start of the season, this is a situation worth keeping an eye on. If nothing else, the Nats could make steady progress towards an eventual extension.